Bradley Grove Hyson

THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE

EARTH ALIVE 2024 A SUCCESS

STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE EVENTS

 

WHAT

JOIN US in celebration of this miraculous living planet we all are part of.  This family friendly event offers opportunities for rest, relaxation, and renewal.  Experience deeper, more open-hearted connections with others and Earth, as we create a loving community to honor, in sacred space, both our joys and our sorrows.  Activities include: celebration, rituals, sharing circles, healing processes, workshops, and time for exploration, connection and play.  Past attendees enjoy on-going support & connection with our community through virtual Sharing Circles offered all throughout the year.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Our community co-creates a supportive space for kids of all ages within the larger community.  Our loosely structured, scalable program includes activities such as games, wilderness exploration, hiking, nature art, storytelling and more.  We create safe place for kids to spend time outside, close to Earth in ways that allow their creativity to emerge.

EARTH ART ALTER

In The Spirit of Andrew Goldsworthy we will co-create a living work of art made from natural materials found on the site.  Participants are welcome to bring “alter” contributions such as statues, sacred objects, pictures, scarves, necklaces, stones or crystals, or other meaningful objects, that they can bless and bring back with them upon completion of the gathering.  Participants will be able to work on this evolving sculpture and sacred space throughout the gathering.

MUSIC & CAMPFIRE CELEBRATION

We close down each night with an open campfire celebration and crowd favorite Saturday evening talent show and sharing opportunities (weather contingent).  Led by some of the finest musicians and long time members of the Earthlands community including Jackie Damsky.  Together we will create a safe, supportive audience for all levels of expression, artistry, and performance.

 

WHERE

Gaia’s Meadow at The University of the Wild

73 Glasheen Road, Petersham, MA.  To hold and support the Earth centered work we do, we have chosen this rustic site nestled in the heart the 81,000-acre Quabbin Reservoir and near the world famous Harvard Forest ecology research facility.  The campus is located on original land of the Nipmuk First Nations people and central to U-of-Wild’s work is supporting the Nipmuk Cultural Preservation on the campus property and integration of Indigenous studies, cultural preservation and land use practices into all programs and services.

Free campsites are included in registration and participants are responsible for bringing all their own necessary camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, etc.).  We offer a limited # of rustic rooms for $25-$40 per night including: an onsite RVs, indoor office space, a shared Yurt, and pre-made tent spaces all on 1st come/1st serve basis.  Off site accommodations at local hotels, motels, Inn’s or Airbnb’s may be made at participants own arrangement and expense.  We offer these for your convenience:

• Clamber Hill Inn & Restaurant, Petersham, MA  –  978-724-8800
• Hartman’s Herb Farm, Barre, MA  –  978-355-2015
• The Jenkins Inn, Barre, MA  –  978-355-6444
• North Quabbin Woods, Petersham, MA  –  888-374-0007

WHEN – Friday-Sunday, August 23-25, 2024. 

Arrival may happen any time after 3:00 pm on Friday and participants should allow adequate time to complete their registration, set up their tents and get settled in.  Dining facilities will be available for an optional potluck prior, but the program will begin promptly at 7:30 pm.  For continuity and to create a safe container, we STRONGLY encourage participants to plan on attending the whole gathering.  Special accommodations will be made on a case by case basis at the discretion of the planners.

***SPECIAL INVITE*** The University of the Wild welcomes anyone interested in being on the land in advance of the gathering to come and volunteer, free camping and accommodations negotiable. RSVP to Larry Buell @ 978-855-1420 or Larry@UofWild.org

WHO

Facilitators include:

Bradley Grove Hyson (Click Link for Bio)

Shanti Om Gaia is a longtime eco-spiritual healer, activist, and mystic who has walked thousands of miles on peacewalks in 20 countries and has spoken to over 50,000 people about environmental, peace, and holistic health issues.  He was on the Earthstory Council and coordinating team for a number of years and has facilitated numerous deep healing and connecting workshops and gatherings (including energy healing and experiential Deep Ecology) for groups of up to 100 people.

Cathy Pedevillano is a visionary healer, teacher, and guide committed to sharing the teachings of shamanism for bringing bring balance and healing to our world.  She’s studied with some of the most well respected shamens, elders, and indigenous healers throughout the world.  Cathy began her career as a wildlife biologist and environmental educator for a variety of state, federal, and private organizations such as the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Mass Audubon Society, and Northfield Mountain, including teaching outdoor leadership and team building programs for children and adults. For 11 years she worked for the Sacred Earth Network (SEN), consulting, coordinating exchanges of indigenous peoples from Siberia and the U.S., working to protect endangered snow leopards in Eurasia, and designing and leading workshops combining deep ecology and shamanism. Whether in private or group sessions, leading workshops or trainings, Cathy assists people in reclaiming their power and waking up to who they are.

Pam Kimball, BRETH Facilitator, is an Earth Energy Healer, Dowser, Shamanic practitioner, Inspirational BRETH Facilitator, Geomancer, Reiki and Sound healing practitioner.  Pam works to identify and protect native ceremonial stone landscapes and serves on the Board for the Nolumbeka, which supports educational programs, art, history, music, heritage seed preservation and cultural events of the indigenous peoples of the Northeast.

FOOD

All meals are vegan with gluten-free options available, and consisting of healthy, mostly organic items such as salads & fruits, rice or grain dishes, soups or stews, snacks and juices, coffees & teas.  Some of the highest quality well water from the Quabbin Reservoir watershed is available throughout the gathering.  We do our best to accommodate special food needs/allergies that are communicated prior to the event.  The following meals will be offered:

• Friday – Evening Pot Luck – **OPTIONAL** – NO MEALS SERVED
• Saturday – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Sunday – Breakfast & Lunch

SCHEDULE

We’ve found what works best is to loosely structure the gathering around 2-3 hour session blocks that allow us the freedom and flexibility to customize and be responsive to the evolving needs of the group, including adjusting for weather conditions.

*** Schedule is tentative and subject to change ***   

Friday

• • • 3:00 PM Arrival, Registration & Check-In, Set Up
    • 6:00 PM Optional Potluck
    • 7:30 PM Opening Circle
    • 10:00 PM  Conclude

Saturday

• • • 7:30 AM Yoga and/or Meditation
    • 8:00 AM Breakfast
    • 9:30 AM Morning Session
    • 12:30 PM Lunch
    • 2:00 PM Afternoon Sessions
    • 6:00 PM Dinner
    • 8:00 PM Campfire Celebration & Talent Show

Sunday

• • • 7:30 AM Yoga or Meditation (TBD)
    • 8:00 AM Breakfast
    • 9:30 AM Morning Session
    • 12:30 PM Lunch
    • 2:00 PM Afternoon Session & Closing
    • 3:00 PM Completion & Community Cleanup

REGISTRATION

To register, simply send an e-mail with the heading “EARTH ALIVE 2024 REGISTRATION” and the following information:

• Names/(s) – of all adults and children (list children’s ages) who will be attending.
• E-mail address/es
• Phone #s
• Mailing Address

A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you with payment and additional registration details.

Registration includes on-site camping, 5 meals, all program materials including children’s.

We do our best to make the program available to all who want to attend.  Theses are suggested program donation rates per individual.  We invite those able to afford more, to contribute more and help offset costs of those in greater need:

$250 BY June 30, 2024 – $100 DISCOUNT

$300 BY July 31, 2024 – $50 DISCOUNT

$350 THROUGH AUGUST 25, 2024

*** Children under 5 are free & under 12 are 1/2 price. 

*** Family Rate: $500 parents + $50 per child.

*** Financial Assistance and a limited number of work request discounts are available upon request.

WHAT TO BRING

• Sacred items to contribute to the Earth Art alter.
• A journal or note book & writing, drawing, coloring instruments including markers, colored pencils &/or crayons.
• All camping gear including tent, bedding, sleeping gear & towels – unless staying off-site.
• Toiletries & personal care items.
• A water bottle, any dietary or nutritional supplements needed, and a food offering for the optional Friday night potluck (if attending).
• Sun tan lotion, insect/bug repellents or devices.
• Appropriate outdoor/camping clothing for a variety of New England climates including: shorts, long pants, rain gear, and bathing suits for those who’d like to swim, and a change of footwear.
• Yoga mats, blankets, meditation cushions or special chairs.
• Incense, sage/smudge sticks, essential oils.
• Musical instruments, balls, frisbees or other fun game type things.
• Flashlights, solar lanterns or other non-flammable illumination.

TRANSIT

Requests for mass transit pick-ups & drop offs must be coordinated & confirmed in advance and are subject to staff/volunteer/participant availability.

QUESTIONS

You may contact us at giantsmileb@gmail.com or 401-575-9973.

PLEASE

Like our Facebook Page  and SHARE this event with family, friends & loved ones who you feel may benefit from participating.

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